Psalms 106:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 106:17 mean?

Psalms 106:17 recalls a moment when the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan and covered the followers of Abiram, describing a dramatic act of judgment. The verse points to a specific event where certain people were punished for their rebellion.

In this psalm, the writer is looking back on Israel’s history, reminding the people of a time when some among them challenged Moses’ leadership. Dathan and Abiram were leaders in this rebellion, and the earth swallowing them is a reference to a story from the book of Numbers. The verse uses this memory to highlight the seriousness of turning against God’s chosen leaders.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 106:17

• earth (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word means "land" or "earth," and here it emphasizes that the ground itself was involved in the judgment, not just a symbolic event.
• opened (פָּתַח, patach): This word means "to open," showing that the earth physically split apart, which adds to the sense of a sudden, supernatural event.
• swallowed up (בָּלַע, bala‘): This word means "to swallow" or "devour," underlining the completeness of the judgment—Dathan and his followers were entirely consumed.
• company (עֵדָה, ‘edah): This word means "assembly" or "group," making it clear that it was not just the leaders but their whole group that was affected.

Why Psalms 106:17 matters

• This verse helps clear up that the judgment was not random or against outsiders, but specifically targeted those who rebelled from within the community.
• By naming Dathan and Abiram, the psalm connects the present audience to a well-known story, reminding them of the consequences of rebellion.
• The verse fits into the larger theme of Psalm 106, which is a confession of Israel’s repeated failures and God’s responses, serving as a warning and a lesson for future generations.